Hon. Onuigbo Commends FEC As NNPC Takes Over Rehabilitation Of Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road

Commuters along the dilapidated Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road may soon heave a sigh of relief several months after agonizing experience as the Federal Executive Council, FEC on Wednesday approved the takeover of reconstruction of the road by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This is even as the Member Representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Hon. Sam Onuigbo in whose Constituency a part of the Federal Road is situated expressed gratitude to the FEC, Minister of Works and Housing, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, for finding it worthy for the road to be enlisted as one of the roads to be taken over by NNPC.

The federal lawmaker in a statement made available to ABN TV says the taking of the road is in line with the letters of Executive Order No. 007 of 2019 which allows the private sector to deploy funds in advance for taxes they would pay, on infrastructural development.

According to Onuigbo who had severally facilitated palliative works on the road to make it passable for commuters, the major challenge that encountered in the efforts to fix this road, has been due to the inadequate allocation and release of funds by the Federal Government after it was awarded to Hartland Nigeria Limited in 2019.

READ ALSO: FEC Approves NNPC To Fix 21 Federal Roads At N621.2bn

He remarks that the “take-over of the project by the NNPC is therefore a most welcomed development which is a result of sustained pressure on the Government.

“I am thankful that the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, constantly made aware of the deplorable state of the road and the countless sufferings our people face on the road, deemed it fit to recommend that the road be part of the roads handed over to the NNPC. I am confident that this will speed up work.

“As a people, we must always collectively fight for our good. Our forefathers in their wisdom knew that only a united front can lead to success in any venture. May we not relent in fighting for our rights as one.

“I will like to conclude by thanking His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola for constantly doing the best he can to ensure that the nightmare we face on this road is brought to an end. God in His infinite mercies will reward him. In the same vein, I extend my appreciation to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency(FERMA) for always responding to calls for emergency works on the road while waiting for total reconstruction. My gratitude also goes to members of the media, the youths, my brothers and sisters from Ikwuano/Umuahia, other Abians, and all the many people who in one way or the other lent their voices in amplifying the call for the Federal Government to take action. Leadership is a collective responsibility and we are all leaders.

“God will continue to guide us.”

Recall that Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu had earlier directed Pumeco Construction Company Nigeria Limited to take over rehabilitation work on the road, calling the bluff of the federal government who had withheld approval for commencement of palliative work by the state government.

The Governor’s action follows the reported death on Sunday, October 3, 2021, of Miss Chidinma Ogbonna, a final year student of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Managment , Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

Her death was said to have been caused by the reckless action of a driver on the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road.